How to Remove Nail Polish Without Nail Polish Remover: 7 Easy Methods (2024)

Like socks, toothpaste, or deodorant, nail polish remover is one of those annoyingly necessary products we feel we really shouldn’t have to spend money on. Yes, we’d likely spend that $6 on an iced latte anyway, but there’s a difference: We love our coffee (and it loves us back, see: energy, productivity, health…)

Nail polish remover, on the other hand, couldn’t be less climactic if it tried. Not only does the smell give us watery eyes and a headache, but it also dries our skin and doesn’t even work all thatwell to begin with. This got us thinking about whether it's possible to remove our nail polish without remover... after all, there’s a hackfor just about everything these days.

Sure enough, we tapped manicurists Evelyn Lim and Jess Alexander, and their insights proved there's actually ahandful of ways one can remove nail polish sans remover. And even better, you probably have most of the necessary materials right in your bathroom or kitchen. Ahead, seven expert-backed ways to remove nail polish sans acetone.

1. Hair Spray

Both our experts agree that hairspray can remove regular nail polish if you're in a pinch—likely due to its alcohol content. According to Lim, "[it] works, but it must come from an aerosol can, spraying directly onto the nail polish and using a cotton ball to remove it. This method also works great to remove dried nail polish on clothing."

Materials:

• Hair spray
• Cotton balls

Directions:

Spray the hairspray directly onto the nail polish, then swipe the cotton ball over your nails and repeat as needed. Wash hands thoroughly when all polish has been removed and give yourhands some extra TLC with a generous dose of cuticle oil and hand cream.

2. Vinegar and Lemon Juice

Vinegar is extremely acidic and widely known as a healthier alternativeto your typical household cleaner. So why not put it on your nails, too? When combined with orange juice or fresh lemon juice (also acidic), it gets the job done—and completely chemical-free.

Materials:

• 2–4 tablespoons of vinegar
• Juice of one lemon or 1/4 cup of orange juice
• Cotton balls
• Shallow bowl

Directions:

"Mix equal parts of [vinegar and citrus] to create a natural polish remover," says Lim. Dip cotton into the mixture and swipe it across your nail polish. "The citrus acid softens the polish, making it easier to remove," she explains.

Once you're finished, wash your hands and apply hand cream.

3. Hydrogen Peroxide and Hot Water

A mild antiseptic, hydrogen peroxideis another option for removing your nail polish in a pinch. Plus, it's one of those random products that nearly everyone has stored away somewhere at home (try looking under the bathroom sink or near other cleaning/medicinal supplies). The claim is that, by naturally releasing oxygen, it helps to remove the product.

Materials:

• Hydrogen Peroxide
• Hot water
• Shallow bowl
• Nail file

Directions:

Mix two parts hydrogen peroxidewith one part hot water. (Try a 1/2 cup of hydrogen peroxide with a 1/4 cup hot water to start.) Then, soak your fingers in the solution while massaging the polish off with your hands. Use a nail file to file off any remainingpolish.

4. Rubbing Alcohol

According to Alexander, rubbing alcohol is another way to remove nail polish if you don't have any legit polish remover. Since alcohol is a solvent, it can help break things down, or in this case dissolve polish. If you don't have pure rubbing alcohol, hand sanitizer works (more on that later) but it may take longer. Keep in mind that rubbing alcohol is extremely drying, so you'll want to be sure to apply moisturizer after using.

Materials:

• Rubbing alcohol
• Cotton balls

Directions:

Let nails soak in rubbing alcohol. Then, use a cotton ball with rubbing alcohol to rub off the nail polish. Note, this method will take a bit of work to get the polish off, especially if you're removing glitter polish—Alexander recommends Butter London's Nail Scrubber Pads to speed up the process.

5. Toothpaste and Baking Soda

Believe it or not, toothpaste works for more than just your teeth. "This mixture is often used as a household cleaner but it can also breakdown nail polish," says Lim. "Increase the amount of baking soda to increase abrasion if the polish is resistant."

Materials:

• Toothpaste
• Baking soda
• Cotton balls

Directions:

Mix equal parts toothpaste and baking soda to create a paste. Then apply a dollop to each nail and use a cotton ball or cotton pad to wipe the nail polish off.

6. Hand Sanitizer

Similar to hairspray and rubbing alcohol, alcohol-based hand sanitizer can break down nail polish, according to Lim. Note if your hand sanitizer is not alcohol-based, it may not work, or it could take a long time.

Materials:

• Alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• Cotton balls

Directions:

"Spray [the hand sanitizer] onto cotton balls, apply onto the nail polish, and allow it to sit for 30 seconds. Rub the cotton back and forth to remove the polish," Lim explains. If you have gel hand sanitizer, simply apply some to the cotton and rub it over the nail polish to remove it.

7. Eye Makeup Remover

Alexander suggests eye makeup remover in place of acetone. A waterproof formula will have oils that can help break down the nail polish.

Materials:

• Waterproof eye makeup remover
• Cotton balls

Directions:

Saturate the cotton balls with eye makeup remover and swipe it across your nail polish. Let it sit on the nail polish for 30 seconds so the oils can break it down. Repeat this process until it's fully removed.